Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tilak Marapana at the Indian Ocean Conference 2017 recently said that the Indian Ocean has historically been a powerful communication channel for the spread of culture, global trade and commerce.

He added that today, the Indian Ocean’s traditional status as a major source of livelihood is more valid than ever before, as it remains an important international trade highway.

He said that their economies rely on the free and secure passage of maritime trade through the region, and therefore, they have a fundamental interest in fostering peace and security and ensuring a safe maritime domain for all.